Constant flow aerator and siphon breaker



Sept. 20, 1966 1 E. I ANCY 3,273,866

CONSTANT FLOW AERATOR AND SIPHON BREAKER Filed March l2, 1963 HAS` ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,273,866 CONSTANT FLOW AERATUR AND SIPHUN BREAKER Leslie E. Lancy, Elivvoorl City, Pa., assigner to Lancy Laboratories, inc., Zelienople, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. l2, 1963, Ser. No. 264,614 l2 Claims. (Cl. Zei-19) This invention relates to a unit or device for automatically flow-metering, aerating and introducing a conditioning or washing fluid, such as water, into a tank or liquid bath containing a contaminated liquid, such as water, and also to a device that will function as a Siphon breaker to prevent back-flow of liquid from the tank into a supply line.

There has been a need for a simple compact unitary device which can be used for the above purpose for conditioning tank liquids or aqueous solutions that have become contaminated, such as in the case of liquids used for laundering, for swimming pools, for chemical and electro-chemical processing, etc. The need is for an inexpensive device that can be connected between a primary fresh liquid or water supply line and a secondary supply line which runs into a liquid tank and is provided with orifices or outlets for introducing the clean or fresh conditioning liquid in such a manner that the contaminants in the tank may be washed out or the liquid therein may be conditioned.

In an ordinary application, a fresh supply of water may be introduced into and along the bottom of the tank in such a manner as to mix thoroughly wit-h the liquid in the tank and loosen solids, so that they may ow to the top level of the tank and be removed from a catch basin along or about an upper portion of the tank and discharged into a waste or sewer pipe. It has been found to be advantageous to aerate the liquid thus being introduced so as to agitate and make it more etiective in its conditioning or Washing operation. Further, health authorities in many localties require that a Siphonpreventing means be provided for preventing any backlow of liquid from the tank into the primary supply line, if, for example, the pressure supply of the clean liquid is cut off and, in general, to prevent any possible contamination of the liquid source by the liqiud of the tank. A Siphon-breaking means is useful in this connection even if, as customary, an ordinary shut-off valve is provided in the primary liquid supply line.

In my investigations, I have indicated that the liquid as provided by a primary supply line will vary in pressure in accordance with the pressure at the source and that this is highly disadvantageous from the standpoint that it causes a variation in the iiow rate of the washing, treating or conditioning liquid to the tank; it upsets calculated requirements as to the amount of treatment and the time of application of the treatment for a given contaminated solution or liquid. Also, in this connection, it is drlicult to accurately set the shut-off valve to give a desired rate of flow. irrespective of this, the rate will vary, as above indicated, with variations of the pressure of the source.

I have further discovered that there is a need for quickly adapting the installation to a desired ow rate in accordance with the particular type of liquid or aqueous solution being treated, washed or conditioned, and that it is undesirable to provide individual units from the standpoint, for example, of an individual iiow rate control unit which is connected through piping to an aerating and siphon breaking unit. This will cause a considerable pressure drop, such that the liquid being introduced may, at times, approach a mere gravity flow to the tank.

In view of the above considerations, it has been an object of my invention to devise an eiiicient, compact, unitary device which will automatically accomplish in combination the functions of flow control or metering, of aerating, and of spihon breaking, and which will be highly practical from the standpoint of operating ease and effectiveness, of ease of maintenance, and quick and easy adjustment or replacement of its flow control means to provide different selected uniform liow control rates;

Another object of my invention has been to develop a unitary and compact device which will minimize or substantially eliminate any pressure drop as to the source liquid being supplied to the liquid bath or tank;

Another object of my invention has been to devise a compact unitary device Whose parts are readily assembled and disassembled with respect to each other and, in such a manner, as to permit easy cleaning and maintenance thereof as well as easy replacement of metering means of a desired tioW rate or control characteristics;

A further object of my invention has been to devise and construct a flow rate control device which will also function as an aerating and Siphon breaking device.

These and other objects of my invention will appear to those skilled in the art from the following description of an illustrated embodiment thereof as well as from the appended claims.

In the drawings, FIGURE 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic vertical section through a typical installation, showing a device of my invention in a connected or operated relationship therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a greatly reduced top plan View of the installation of FIGURE l; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view in elevation through an illustrative embodiment of the unitary device of my invention.

In the drawings, I have shown a typical installation in which the device of my invention may be employed. This installation includes a tank llt) containing the liquid to be conditioned, washed or treated, a fresh or clean liquid source or primary supply line 11, a conventional valve l2 in the line lll for shutting-off and opening flow of liquid therethrough, and a secondary liquid bath or tank supply pipe line ll3 which is connected to the primary fresh liquid or primary supply line. lll. by a unit 2t) of my invention. Ars shown, the secondary line 134 may extend diagonally across the bottom of the tank 14) and have a series of spaced-apart exit or spray openings 13a t-herealong for introducing the aerated liquid into the tank and agitating the liquid in the tank. The conditioning or treating action is such that impurities tend to rise to the to`p of the surface of the liquid in the tank, and to flow over the edge of the side-positioned catch basin i4 from which they may be `discharged to the sewer through one or more outlet nipples l5 and a Waste discharge pipe 16.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 3 of the drawings, I have shown the compact unitary device Ztl of my inven- 3pc/asse tion in its fully assembled operating relationship. The device employs an inlet body part 2l, an interfitting and cooperating outlet body part 23, and a coupling or sleeve part 22 for removably-securing the body parts in an aligned and assembled `relationship with respect to each other. The inlet part 2l has a larger or enlarged bore 21a which defines an inlet chamber a which corresponds substantially in diameter to the iiow diameter of the entering liquid, as supplied by the pipe 1l. yIn this connection, the back end portion of the inlet part 21 has an inner or female threaded bore 2lb `for `receiving a threaded end of the pipe line ll therein to -supply the clean 'or conditioning liquid under `line pressure to the inlet chamber a.

T-he forward end of `the inlet chamber a is connected by a forwardly-inwardly converging, frusto-conicallyshaped or nozzle-like bore that defines la chamber b for providing a smooth constriction of -the flow of the liquid from the inlet chamber a into `tbe back end Vportion of a rst venturi bore or passageway 21C of reduced substantially uniform diameter. The venturi bore 2lc extends `longitudinally or axially in yalignment with the inlet chamber a, through a forward stem portion Zij. The stem portion Zlf is shown of cylindrical shape. The venturi bore 21C defines a main venturi chamber portion c which is shown of the same size or diameter as a secondary venturi chamber portion c that is defined by a venturi bore or passageway 23k of substantially uniform diameter of -the outlet body part 23. The venturi bores 'or bore portions 21C and 23k, in effect, define an axial or `longitudinal venturi chamber for providing a velocity flow of the liquid `forwardly `into the outlet body part 23.

A recessed portion that projects radially-outwardly with respect to the venturi chambers c and c is positioned between and is provided by the spaced relation between a forward end or forward edges of the stern portion 2l]c |and a `forward ledge or wall portion 23g of a backwardlyopen 'central bore 23f of the outlet body part 23.

The inlet body part 2l, substantially intermediate of its length, ha-s an outwardly-projecting annular latclhing ilange 21d which is adapted to cooperate with and be engaged by an inwardly-projecting back end annular diange 22a of -the coupling part 22. Forwardly of the flange 21d, the inlet body 4part 2l has a forwardlyinwardly-declining wedge-shaped or ifrusto-conical abutment or aligning shoulder 2l@ ,which `is substantially complementary in slope Iwith a backwardly-outwardlydiverging, wedge-shaped bore or `abutment face 23e of the outlet body part 23. It will lbe noted that the for- Ward end of the 'abutment face 23e terminates at the back portion of the bore 231, `and that the outer cylindrical periphery of the stem portion 2l]c of the inlet body part is complementary with `or ibas about the same 4(slightly smaller) diameter as the bore ZS to provide an aligned, close-dittin'g, assembled relationship of the inlet body part 2l with respect to the outlet :body part 23, in cooperation with the abutment shoulder 21e land the abutment face 23e.

The coupling part 22 has an inner, threaded portion 22]: which is adapted to cooperate with an externallythreaded outer peripheral portion 23b of the outlet body pant 23 for securely-removably retaining the body parts in an `assembled and aligned-flow relationship with respect to eaoh other.

lForwardly of its venturi chamber portion c', an intermediate portion 23d of the outlet body part 23 has a forwardly-diverging vacuum or liquid expansion chamber d which connects |with and lintroduces liquid from the forward end of the venturi bore to an outlet chamber e of enlarged diameter, ias defined by an outlet bore 2311. The chamber e is shown as having a flow diameter corresponding to the outflow area into the secondary pipe line 13. The outlet bore 23h terminates in an inner threaded portion 231' which is adapted to secure a forwardly-extending connecting portion 23C of 'the Outlet i body part 23 on the threaded end of the secondary pipe line 13.

A group, and `at least a pair of opposed air passageways or ports 23j lare, in their inner ends, open or connected 'to opposite sides of the vacuum chamber d, and slope ibackwardly-outwardly through the outlet body part 23. Tlhe ports 23]' are open at their outer ends to a back end portion of an air supply chamber f, adjacent its closed-off back wall. It will be noted that the coupling part 22 has a forwardly-projecting collar or sleeve wall portion 22C which projects substantially `from a position transversely-opposite to the recessed portion of the assembly, along the venturi chamber portion c', the vacuum chamber d, and slightly beyond the outlet chamber e and is open at its iforward end to the atmosphere. The chamber f acts as a stabilizing inuence in preventing any leakage or lout-iiow of the liquid through the air .passageways or ports 23j and, at the same time, supplies air to the liquid under the `iniluence of vacuum in the chamber d, as effected by the liquid ilow through the venturi chambers, in order to fully aerate the liquid being introduced into the loutlet chamber e and thus, into lthe secondary pipe line 13. If for any reason the pressure of the liquid being supplied through the primary pipe line 11 should fail, then the passageways 23]' act as siphon breakers `to prevent any back-flow of liquid from the tank l0, through the ysecondary supply line 13, to the primary pipe line lll and thus, back to the source.

A metering element 24 is operatively positioned in the recessed portion between the venturi chambers c and c', it is of a resilient or elastic material that is pressuresensitive and is shown in the general shape of ia washer. The element 24 is provided with an orifice or bore 24a therethrough which is centrally-aligned between the venturi chamber portions c :and c in such a manner as to enhance the venturi action and, at the same time, t-o always maintain a desired rate of liquid flow. When the pressure of the liquid rises, it acts upon the exposed back rface area of the metering element 24 so `as to decrease the size of its opening or orice flow tarea. On the other hand, Iwhen the pressure falls, such orifice area of the element tends to expand and thus increase its size so as to maintain the same ow rate irrespective of pressure. The effective flow control area of the back face of the element 24 may be restricted or controlled by an element or means 25 which may be in the form of a relatively thin, rigid part or element, shown of lesser thickness than the element 24. The element 25 may be in the form of a metal washer provided with a dow bore, orifice or opening 25a therethrough that is larger than the orifice 24a of the element 24; it exposes an annular portion or area of the back face of the resilient element 24 about its orifice 24a to the direct application of the pressure of the lluid. Such annular area lies backwardly from the `orifice 24a and in a surrounding relation, immediately yadjacent thereto. As shown, the flow control element 24 is securely-positioned with its front or downstream face in face-to-face abutment with the ledge 23g and with its back or upstream face in ace-to-face abutment with the washer 25. The element 24 is shown positioned within spacing provided by the joint formed between the stem portion 21f of the inlet part 2l yand the central bore of the outlet part 23 and importantly, within the venturi passageway defined by the portions c and c of such parts. It will be noted that the forward face of the resilient element 24 has a greater area of exposure beyond the ledge 23g than its back face has beyond or radially-inwardly of the washer 25. This has been found to give it a highly accurate and efficient metering action. For providing different selected ilow rates, I can substitute an element 24 of different characteristics such as one having a smaller or larger size orice. By providing an element 25 of a different size of opening, I can control the sensitiveness of the operation of the element 24.

The device has particular application as a unit for rinsing out the liquid in a tank after a chemical or electro-chemical process. By aerating the liquid as it is supplied, I produce an improved action, not vonly from the standpoint of supplying air to a contaminated liquid bath, but also from the standpoint of thoroughly agitating the contaminated liquid at the bottom of the bath to drive dirt, impurities, etc. upwardly and out over the side Weir or catch basin 14. By incorporating metering me-ans, I can supply the conditioning or treating liquid at any desired constant rate, irrespective of ordinary variations in the pressure of the liquid as supplied t0 the unit.

The parts iof the unit 20 are easily demountable and the construction is such that the parts, in effect, automatically align themselves when they are assembled. It is apparent that the device provides for easy maintenance in cleaning-out and, in addition, makes possible the substituting of metering elements of any desired size of flow orifice or of any desired characteristics, so that -a selected rate of flow of the liquid can be easily provided. The device makes possible a plurality of functions in one unit and without the pressure drops that would be inherent if a plurality of separate units were connected by piping to each other for this purpose.

The side-positioned air chamber f, in combination with the passageways 23j assures a hydraulic head on the water within the chamber d so as to possibly prevent backflow. It also prevents any possibility of an out-How of water through the passageways or ports 23j. The overall construction is such as to provide a maximum eHicien-cy of accomplishment iof the various functions in combination, and to do so without adversely affectingT the pressure of the supply of liquid to the unit and from the unit to the liquid bath.

I claim:

1. A compact unitary device for supplying la conditioning liquid from a source at a substantially constant flow rate and in an aerated condition, to a liquid body to be conditioned which comprises, a pair of interiitting liquid inlet and outlet body parts having cooperating portions for -aligning them in a fluid-flow relation with each other, a coupling part removably-securing said body parts in an aligned assembled relationship, said body parts defining a Iforwardly-extending venturi passageway, said inlet body part having an inlet chamber for supplying liquid from the source into and along said venturi passageway, said outlet body part having a vacuum charnber associated with a forward end of said venturi passageway, said Ioutlet body part having an `outlet chamber for receiving liquid from said vacuum chamber, air passageways open at their inner ends to said vacuum chamber and extending backwardly-outwardly through said outlet body part, said coupling part having a skirt wall defining a backwardly-extending forwardly-open air chamber along said outlet body part that is Iclosed at its back end portion with respect to said `outlet body part; outer ends of said air passageways being open to the back end portion of said air chamber to prevent venting of the liquid from said vacuum chamber, to supply air to said vacuum chamber for aerating liquid flowing into said outlet chamber, and to prevent a back flow of liquid through the device; and flow control means operativelypositioned within said venturi passageway and between said body parts for supplying the liquid at a substantially constant ow rate to said vacuum chamber.

2. A compact unitary device for supplying a conditioning fluid from a source at a substantially constant iiow rate and in an aerated condition to a liquid body to be conditioned which comprises, a pair of interiitting liquid inlet land outlet body parts; said inlet body part having an inlet chamber defined therein and open to its back end portion, having a latching flange projecting outwardly from an intermediate portion thereof and having a stem of reduced diameter along its forward end portion; a wedge-shaped abutment shoulder on said inlet body part between said stern and said flange, said outlet body part having a bore projecting inwardly therein from its back end portion and provided with a wedgeshaped entry face and a forward reduced diameter portion to receive said stem, said forward reduced diameter portion having a forward end wall, said wedge-shaped face being constructed to abut said wedge-sh-aped shoulder and align said inlet and outlet body parts with respect to each other and to position a forward end of said stem in a spaced relation with -respect to said forward end wall, said outlet body part having an outlet chamber defined therein and extending backwardly from its forward end portion and open to the spacing between the forward end of said stem and said forward end wall, said inlet and outlet body parts defining a venturi passageway between said inlet and said outlet chambers, flow control means constructed to provide a substantially constant iiow rate lof the fluid, said flow control means `being operatively-positioned within the spacing between the forward end of said stem and said back end wall of said outlet body part and having a tiow orifice within and in cooperative alignment with said venturi passageway, -a coupling part having a back end flange to engage said latching flange, and means for removably-securing said coupling part on said outlet body part.

3. A compact unitary device as defined in claim Z wherein said venturi passageway comprises, a back portion 'and a forward portion connected by the spacing between the forward end of said stem and said back end wall, and the forward portion is of relatively shorter length than the back portion thereof.

4. A compact unit-ary device as defined in claim 2 wherein said flow control means comprises, "a resilient element having a flow orifice therein, a backwardly-positioned rigid element in face-to-face abutment with a back face of said resilient element and having a flow orifice therethrough lof larger diameter than the flow orifice through said resilient element, and a forward ledge in face-tio-face abutment with a front face of said resilient element and having a flow Vorifice therethrough of Ia larger diameter than the flow orifice of said rigid element.

5. A compact unitary device for aerating and supplying a conditioning liquid from a source at a substantially constant flow rate and in an aerated condition to Ia liquid body to be conditioned which comprises, a pair of interiitting liquid inlet and outlet body parts having cooperating portions for `aligning them in a liquid-flow relation with each other, means removably-securing said body parts in an aligned assembled relation, said body parts defining a forwardly-extending venturi bore and a recessed portion within said venturi bore, said inlet body part having an inlet chamber for supplying liquid from the source into and along said venturi bore, an outlet chamber in said outlet body part for supplying liquid to the liquid body to be conditioned, flow control means operatively-positioned in said recessed portion for supplying the liquid at a substantially constant flow rate to said Ioutlet chamber irrespective of the pressure of the liquid introduced into said inlet chamber, a vacuum chamber associated with a forward end of said venturi bore, and' air passageways inclining forwardly-inwardly through and open at their back ends outwardly from said outlet body part and open at their front ends inwardly to said vacuum chamber for aerating the liquid flowing into said outlet chamber and preventing a back-flow of the liquid from the liquid bath through the device.

6. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said means removably-securing said body parts is a coupling part, said coupling part has a skirt wall defining a backwardlyextending forwardly-open air chamber along said outlet body part, and said air passageways slope backwardly into and are open at their outer ends to a back end por- 7 tion of said airchamber to prevent venting of the liquid from said vacuum chamber.

7. A device as defined in claim wherein, said recessed portion divides said venturi bore adjacent its forward end, and said fiow control means is operativelypositioned in said recessed portion to define la throughorifice between divided portions of said venturi bore.

8. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein, said flow control means has a resilient washer-like element provided with a flow orifice therethrough in alignment with said venturi bore, said resilient element has me-ans to automatically control the size of its orifice in accordance with the pressure -of the liquid being introduced into said inlet chamber, and said flow control means has a relatively rigid element provided with a flow orifice therethrough larger than and in alignment with the orifice of said resilient element, and said relatively rigid element is positioned in face-tio-face abutment with a back face of said resilient element for limiting the -area of applic-ation of pressure force of the liquid on said resilient element.

9. A compact unitary device for aerating and supplying a liquid such as washing `water forwardly at a predetermined substantial-ly constant rate of fiow from a primary fresh liquid supply line to a secondary tank 'liquid supply line for conditioning the liquid in a tank which comprises, a pair of interfitting body parts, a coupling body part removably-securing said body parts in a forwardlyaligned assembled relation with each other, one of said body parts being an inlet 4part for connection at its back end portion to the primary supply line for receiving liquid under pressure therefrom, the other of said body parts being an outlet part for connection at its forward end to the -secondary supply line for supplying aerated liquid to the liquid in the tank; said inlet part having a bore open to and extending from its back end to receive liquid from the primary supply line and define an inlet chamber, and having a first venturi bore of reduced diameter extending from a forward end of said inlet chamber and open to a forward end of said inlet part; said outlet part having a second venturi bore of substantially the same diam-eter as and open to and extending from its back end in substantial longitudinal alignment with the forward end of said first venturi bore, and having a connecting bore of ilarger diameter than and connected to a forward end of said second venturi bore and open at its forward end to define -an outlet cham-ber; the forward end of said inlet part defining a recessed portion with respect to said outlet part between the forward end of said first venturi bore and the back end of said second venturi bore, a resi-lient flow control element operatively-positioned in said recessed portion and having a through orifice of reduced diameter with respect to and connecting said venturi bores; opposed face abutment means cooperating with and seating said iresilient element between said inlet and outlet parts within said recessed portion, whereby said element will flex `about its said orice in accordance with the pressure of liquid passing `forwardly from said first venturi bore into said second venturi bore to provide a substantially constant rate of flow of the liquid based on the normal fiow diameter of the orifice; said connecting bore defining a vacuum chamber; and a group of radiallyinwardly-forwardly-converging opposed passageways in said outlet part connecting said vacuum chamber to the atmosphere, whereby air will -be drawn into the liquid moving forwardly from said vacuum chamber into said youtlet chamber during a normal forward pressure iiow of liquid through the device, and whereby the vacuum chamber will be vented to the atmosphere to prevent a back flow of liquid through the device.

10. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein, said recessed portion is defined between forward edges of a forwardly-projecting stem-like forward end portion of said inlet part and an opposed lledge portion of said outlet part, said seating means has a relatively rigid washer-like element positioned in face-to-faoe abutment between a back face of said resilient element and said forward edges of said stem-like forward end portion, said washer-like element has an orifice therethrough of larger diameter than and positioned in alignment with the orifice of said resilient element, and said washer-like element has an area `about its orifice that projects radially-inwardly beyond the diameter of said first venturi bore for limiting the fiow control area of said resilient element about its orifice.

lll. A device as defined in claim 9 wherein said coupling part has a forwardly-projecting annular wall portion Ypositioned in a radially spaced-apart relation with respect to the outer periphery of a forward portion of said outlet part and defines an air chamber therewith which at its forward end is open to the atmosphere and at its back end is open to outer ends of said group of opposed passageways.

12. A compact unitary device for aerating and supplying `a lliquid such as washing water forwardly at a predetermined substantially constant rate of fiow from a primary fresh liquid suply line to a secondary tank liquid supply line for conditioning liquid in a tank which comprises, an inlet body part having a threaded back connecting portion for securing it to the primary supply line and having a bore defining `an inlet 'chamber of substantially the iiow diameter of said threaded back connecting portion; said inlet body part having a forwardlyprojecting stem-like forward end portion, and having a venturi bore connected at its back end to the forward end of said inlet chamber and open to the forward end of said stem portion; said inlet body part having a radiallyoutwardly-projecting latching liange forwardly of said threaded back connecting portion, and having a forwardly-declinin-g-wedge-shaped outer shoulder between said latching flange and said stem portion; an outlet body part having -a threaded forward connecting portion for securing it to the secondary supply line, having a bore defining an outlet chamber of substantially the flow diameter of said threaded forward connecting portion, and having an outwardly-backwardly-diverging wedge-shaped abutment face open to its back end for aligning with and receiving said outer shoulder of said inlet body part; said `outlet body part having a backwardly-open central bore therein from said abutment face to receive said stem portion therein, said outer shoulder and said abutment face positioning said inlet body part with the forward end of ,its stem portion in a spaced recessdefining relation with a front end of said central bore of said outlet body part, said outlet body part having a venturi bore in forward alignment with th-e venturi bore of said inlet body part, said outlet body part having a forwardly-diverging bore between a forward end of its venturi bore and a back end of said outlet chamber that defines a vacuum chamber therebetween, said outlet -body part having a threaded portion about its outer periphery, a sleeve-:like coupling part having an inner threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of said outlet body part and having an inwardly-projecting iiange at its back end for latch-engaging with said latching fiange of said inlet body part to hold said inlet body part in a backwardly-aligned position with said outlet body part when the inner threaded portion of said coupling part is in cooperating engagement with the threaded portion of said outlet body part, said coupling part having a forwardly-projecting cylindrical wall portion positioned in a spaced-apart relation with respect to and along said outlet body part and defining an air chamber therewith that is forwardly-open to thev atmosphere at a position slightly beyond said outlet chamber, and at least a pair of passageways projecting downwardly-inwardly in Van opposed relation through said outlet body part from a back end portion of said air chamber into said vacuum chamber for supplying air to forwardly moving liquid in th@ CVCC fOm Said air chamber and for preventing a back-flow of liquid Within the device, now-control means operatively-seated in the recess defined between the for- Ward end of said stem portion and the front end of said central bore and having a ow orice therethrough in alignment with the forward end of the venturi bore in said inlet body part and the back end of the venturi bore in said outlet body part; and said flow control means being sensitive to pressure of liquid flowing into the device to maintain a substantially constant rate of liquid ilow out of the device, irrespective of the pressure of the liquid introduced into said inlet chamber and dependent upon the normal diameter of said oW lorice.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,363,181 12/1920 Henger 285-354 X 2,161,204 6/1939 Shanley 137-216 2,454,929 11/1948 Kempton.

HARRY B. THORNTON, Primary Examiner.

10 RONALD R. WEAVER, Examiner.

E. H. RENNER, Assistant Exdmz'ner. 

5. A COMPACT UNITARY DEVICE FOR AERATING AND SUPPLYING A CONDITIONING LIQUID FROM A SOURCE AT A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT FLOW RATE AND IN AN AERATED CONDITION TO A LIQUID BODY TO BE CONDITIONED WHICH COMPRISES, A PAIR OF INTERFITTING LIQUID INLET AND OUTLET BODY PARTS HAVING COOPERATING PORTIONS FOR ALIGNING THEM IN A LIQUID-FLOW RELATION WITH EACH OTHER, MEANS REMOVABLY-SECURING SAID BODY PARTS IN AN ALIGNED ASSEMBLED RELATION, SAID BODY PARTS DEFINING A FORWARDLY-EXTENDING VENTURI BORE AND A RECESSED PORTION WITHIN SAID VENTURI BORE, SAID INLET BODY PART HAVING AN INLET CHAMBER FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID FROM THE SOURCE INTO AND ALONG SAID VENTURI BORE, AN OUTLET CHAMBER IN SAID OUTLET BODY PART FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID TO THE LIQUID BODY TO BE CONDITIONED, FLOW CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY-POSITIONED IN SAID RECESSED PORTION FOR SUPPLYING THE LIQUID AT A SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT FLOW RATE TO SAID OUTLET CHAMBER IRRESPECTIVE OF THE PRESSURE OF THE LIQUID INTRODUCED INTO SAID INLET CHAMBER, A VACUUM CHAMBER ASSOCIATED WITH A FORWARD END OF SAID VENTURI BORE, AND AIR PASSAGEWAYS INCLINING FORWARDLY-INWARDLY THROUGH AND OPEN AT THEIR BACK ENDS OUTWARDLY FROM SAID OUTLET BODY PART AND OPEN AT THEIR FRONT ENDS INWARDLY TO SAID VACUUM CHAMBER FOR AERATING THE LIQUID FLOWING INTO SAID OUTLET CHAMBER AND PREVENTING A BACK-FLOW OF THE LIQUID FROM THE LIQUID BATH THROUGH THE DEVICE. 